Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Periyar University, Salem, India, Email: subbu_mathi71@yahoo.co.in.
The study was designed to examine the effectiveness of interpersonal communication of doctors in handling patients, and trying to identify the role of communication in building confidence among them. This study also attempts to determine the role of communication in the health care administration. Many health studies confirmed that communication is one of the therapeutic components in managing patients. Excellent communication competence of doctors is vital to ascertain good association with patients. Barriers in communication between doctors and patients are never considered as an important element and often go unobserved. Hall (1988) ascertains that patient satisfaction is directly related to the amount of information that they perceive have been given to them by their doctors. Hundred questionnaires were distributed randomly to the outpatient of Salem local clinics of Tamil Nadu. Patient satisfaction can be main indicator for the quality of care. But patient satisfaction level in this study was found to be insignificant.
interpersonal communication, doctors, patient satisfaction, health communication
